I recently had the chance to speak with U.S. philosopher and educator Martha Nussbaum about her recent book "Not For Profit: Why Democracy Needs The Humanities."

"If we want freedom, we have to produce it -- and this is a recipe for doing that," she said, arguing that only a firm grounding in critical thinking and liberal arts can properly prepare citizens for the responsibilities of maintaining a democracy. It is also, she adds, good for economic competiveness.